Goldfinch

This small finch is strikingly colourful with its mixture of red, white and black on the head, golden brown body and bright yellow wing bars. Looking more closely, the lores and crown are black, the chin and forehead are red and the cheeks are white. The body is predominantly golden or tawny brown, but the belly and rump are white. The wings are mostly black with a large striking yellow band. The bill varies from pinkish to pale grey, and the legs are flash coloured. The sexes are similar except that the male's red face extends slightly behind the eye. Juveniles are generally a dull brown with darker streaking on the body, and lack the red, black and white markings on the head. Goldfinches used to be commonly kept as caged birds because of their colourful plumage and enchanting singing.